In addition to the debate on HOFA, another issue that received attention during the Interparliamentary Kingdom Consultation (IPKO) meeting was the question of integrity in public office, particularly at the ministerial level.
The leader of the MEP faction, Evelyn Wever-Croes, drew a comparison with a recent case in the Netherlands, where a parliamentarian resigned after it was discovered that information on his CV was incorrect. According to Wever-Croes, the voluntary resignation demonstrated a sense of responsibility, honor, and seriousness in public office.
Case of Minister Gerlien Croes raises concerns
In contrast, MEP highlighted the situation involving Minister Gerlien Croes. According to Wever-Croes, Croes has not provided clarity regarding allegations concerning her conduct, nor has she presented public evidence to support her position.
MEP argues that the minister has been invited multiple times to Parliament to provide explanations, but that, according to the party, the AVP and FUTURO factions are protecting the minister by limiting her presence in the Parliament of Aruba. For Wever-Croes, this situation represents a negative signal for Aruba’s political culture.
“Does integrity stop at the border?” the MEP leader questioned, suggesting that the standards applied in the Netherlands are not being equally reflected in Aruba. According to Wever-Croes, delegations from Curaçao, Sint Maarten, and the Netherlands expressed surprise at Minister Croes’ position and the lack of public clarity.
IPKO: From difficult issues to superficial discussion?
Beyond the issue of integrity, the President of Parliament of Sint Maarten, Sarah Wescot-Williams, raised broader criticism regarding the direction of IPKO. According to Wescot-Williams, IPKO originally began as a platform to address difficult issues between the countries such as autonomy, democracy, democratic deficit, and dispute resolution mechanisms but gradually the focus has become more cautious and less confrontational.
She proposed restoring emphasis on structural matters that affect the foundation of relations within the Kingdom. The MEP faction expressed support for this position, stating that only by confronting complex issues with frankness can real progress be achieved.
Contact and cooperation as the central goal
Despite political tensions, the primary objective of IPKO remains strengthening interparliamentary contact in order to jointly address common challenges faced by each country. However, recent debates demonstrate that cooperation within the Kingdom does not exclude confronting fundamental issues such as public integrity and institutional autonomy.
With these statements, MEP is calling for a deeper debate, both within Aruba and within the Kingdom framework, regarding standards of governance and political accountability — areas in which, according to the party, the current AVP–FUTURO government leaves much to be desired.